I've had my 11 sonata since about 19k miles.
It now just turned 70k miles.
I finally found the "solution" to the problematic starter, purchased a starter with a lifetime warranty from O'reilley.
Right before I bought the car, the dealer fixed the starter under warranty by just replacing the plastic fork. Records show it was done with about 15k miles.
At 45k miles the starter failed again, so I had a local indy shop replace with a rebuilt starter. This was in 2016.
Yesterday the starter failed again at 70k miles. I live in an apartment, so I had it towed to a local indy shop. Charged me about $100 in labor to switch out the starter, and sold me a lifetime warranty starter from O'reilley.
Nice to have a local indy mechanic who is super honest. He showed me the starter and the bendix material had blown up inside the housing, as well as the fork.
Car is paid off, and I will keep it until the 120k or 10 year engine warranty expires. I have been documenting all oil changes from the quick lube and not doing them myself anymore in case this thing throws a rod bearing. I may have next oil change done at the dealer to see if they can do an ultrasound test to see if they can replace the long block. It is a noisy engine for sure, lots of clatter but does not sound bad yet.
Great looking car, and rides good, just odd problems. At least it has been cheap to fix and parts are easy to find.
Next car will be a Toyota or Lexus. I'll probably have to lift the hood less often on those.
It now just turned 70k miles.
I finally found the "solution" to the problematic starter, purchased a starter with a lifetime warranty from O'reilley.
Right before I bought the car, the dealer fixed the starter under warranty by just replacing the plastic fork. Records show it was done with about 15k miles.
At 45k miles the starter failed again, so I had a local indy shop replace with a rebuilt starter. This was in 2016.
Yesterday the starter failed again at 70k miles. I live in an apartment, so I had it towed to a local indy shop. Charged me about $100 in labor to switch out the starter, and sold me a lifetime warranty starter from O'reilley.
Nice to have a local indy mechanic who is super honest. He showed me the starter and the bendix material had blown up inside the housing, as well as the fork.
Car is paid off, and I will keep it until the 120k or 10 year engine warranty expires. I have been documenting all oil changes from the quick lube and not doing them myself anymore in case this thing throws a rod bearing. I may have next oil change done at the dealer to see if they can do an ultrasound test to see if they can replace the long block. It is a noisy engine for sure, lots of clatter but does not sound bad yet.
Great looking car, and rides good, just odd problems. At least it has been cheap to fix and parts are easy to find.
Next car will be a Toyota or Lexus. I'll probably have to lift the hood less often on those.
